Happy 2010: A New Year & Decade

New Year's Eve is always such a special ocassion that one needs to look dapper and sleek throughout this night. And for key moments in our lives like the end of the 00s and start of the 10s, there's nothing that can beat the elegance and class of a tuxedo. Below a photo taken back in 1979 at some club in Paris that shows the power of a tuxedo, notice this one's jacket has a "mosaic" pattern on it.

This year New Year's Eve is a "milestone", since it's not only the end of another year, it's the end of a decade, the 00s. A decade which will be remembered by all the significant events that happened in history, the evolution of fashion (the constant revival of trends from previous decades), and of course our own personal history. The last year of the 00s, 2009, proved to be quite a challenge due to the circumstances in the global economy, fashion wasn't exempt, yet it appears somehow that we've all excelled this challenge and look forward to the future with optimism and perseverance.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you, my readers, for your support throughout this year, and tell you that without you this blog wouldn't be what it is today. Your feedback and comments within this last year have been of great importance and help to me. I can't go on without saying that it has been during 2009, that Retro Vintage Mod Style has experienced an amazing and unexpected growth, and that I'm really thankful to all of you for making this possible.

On the eve of a new decade and year, I would like to wish you and your loved ones the best for the 10s and 2010; may all your dreams and goals be fulfilled, may your life be filled with happiness, peace, and love, and last but not least, may you have lots of stylish outfits that channel the great styles and style icons of previous decades.

And like ABBA sang 30 years ago in 1979, Happy New Year!

Photo & video: L'Officiel Hommes and Youtube

Like A Rolling Stone

What can I say about The Rolling Stones that hasn't be said? Not really a lot, as I would be repeating what others have said, yet I will anyway. Along with The Beatles, The Who, James Bond, the Mods, and Carnaby Street, they are among the best that the UK offered to the world in the 60s. Besides being the rock band with most years of existence (since 1962) in musical history, they are credited for composing and performing some of the most popular rock songs ever.


Songs such as: "Satisfaction", "Angie", "Emotional Rescue", "Like A Rolling Stone", "Brown Sugar", "Honky Tonk Women", "Miss You", "Let's Spend The Night Together" and "Paint It Black" are some of their hits.


Below a photo of the band taken around 1966-1967, in which we can see its original members: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Bill Wyman. Each of them wearing outfits that represent fashion during this time in England. Not only have The Rolling Stones set the standard for "the life of a rock star", but they have also had an influence in fashion during these decades.


Photo: Taringa

Happy Christmas

And so this is Christmas....I would like to wish all of my readers a Merry Christmas and the best during this holiday season.


As we all know Christmas Carols play an important part during this time of the year, we have the "classic and traditional" carols and the "contemporary" carols too. One of the latter is John Lennon's 1971 song "Happy Christmas".


Back in 1969, in the middle of the Vietnam War, John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono launched a billboard/advertising campaign called "War Is Over". Ads were placed in major magazines and billboards in world capitals such as New York, London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Los Angeles, Toronto, Athens, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. They were blank ads with only the phrase: War Is Over, in bold letters and beneath it: If You Want It / Happy Christmas From John & Yoko.






Then in 1971, Lennon and Yoko paired up with the Plastic Ono Band and the Harlem Comunity Choir to release "Happy Christmas", whose video you can watch below.






Photo & Video: Flickr, Youtube

David Bailey & Catherine Deneuve

David Bailey besides being an icon of London's Swinging 60s, is one of the greatest photographers in fashion history. His photos are a vivid and timeless representation of the 60s. Still remembered after more than 40 years, he is said to have been the inspiration for "Blow Up".


From 1965 to 1972 he was married to French actress, and one of the most beautiful women in cinema history, Catherine Deneuve. Both were photographed below attending an event in London around 1967. David Bailey is wearing jeans, a suede jacket, a shirt, and a scarf; while Catherine Deneuve opted for a short black dress.




Photo: Flickr

The Orange Nehru Jacket

Around 1966-1967 menswear was taken by storm by the "Nehru Jacket". Inspired by the jackets worn by India's Prime Minister at the time, Sir Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, these jackets became a staple in every stylish men's wardrobe.

Part of their success I believe has to do with the fact that the ethnic, hindu, hippie, and bohemian trends were developing during this years, and considering that the jacket's aesthetic blended well with the Mod clothing of the era.

Below an original version of the Nehru jacket in bright orange with the buttons placed on the side.


Photo: Flickr

The Prince of Cool

For most of us the "King of Cool" will always be Steve Mc Queen, yet a photo like the one below shows that there is a "Prince of Cool", and that is Serge Gainsbourg.


Wearing a 3 piece suit, which has a made a comeback this season, a pair of wrap around sunglasses, and smoking a cigarette (his trademark) Gainsbourg posed for the camera in the early 70s.



Photo: Flickr

Dinner with David Niven

Parties are a quintessential element during this holiday season. While celebrating with your friends and loved ones, style and etiquette must not be forgotten at any moment.


Back in 1956 there was a dinner held at New York City's Waldorf Astoria. Among the guests were Jackie Kennedy and her sister Lee Bouvier. Sitting at their table was a "Gentleman of Cinema", David Niven.


He not only had that "aristocratic aura" on film and in real life, but he was someone you'd always see looking stylish and being classy. Blame it on his English blood or upbringing, Niven is someone to look up to.


Besides starring on memorable films such as "Casino Royale" (yes, he was Sir James Bond!), "Death on the Nile", and "Around the World in 80 Days", he was seen attending the most memorable parties of the 50s, 60s, and 70s in Hollywood, Monte Carlo, and New York.






Photo: LIFE

Mixing it up

Memeber of the 80s' "Brat Pack" and star of memorable 80s films like "Mannequin", "Pretty In Pink", "St. Elmo's Fire", and "Weekend At Bernie's", Andrew McCarthy gave a style lesson back in 1985: sometimes it's okay and fun to mix it all up.

And he did mix it up: white trousers, oversized khaki jacket, black belt, red shirt, and a tie with different shades of gray. A strange and unstylish mix to some, yet what makes it work is his laid back attitude and confidence.

"Attitude is a little thing, that makes a big difference"

Photo: LIFE

What's it all about...Alfie...

"I myself subscribe more to the European philosphy of life, my priorities leaning towards wine, women and... well that's about it...", was a quote said by one of UK's most famous ladies men in history, no this time it's not James Bond, it's Alfie.

A "fictional" character yet very real, Alfie has graced cinema screens two times: first in 1966 with Michael Caine portraying his joys and mishaps in Swinging London and in 2004 with Jude Law being an English man in Manhattan.

Law's performances in films such as "The Talented Mr. Ripley" (1999 remake of "A Plein Soleil"), "Gattaca", "Cold Mountain" among others, have won him international acclaim. Remarkable as his acting is his personal style, managing to look dapper attending a premiere or while strolling around town.

Below he is shown on the set of "Alfie" back in 2003 with Sienna Miller riding a Vespa. How can't this photo have "60s Mod" written all over it? The pin stripe suit, the skinny tie, the vespa all fit in well with elements from the 00s, such as the messed up hair and aviators (classic eyewear, yet this model seems to have a modern design).

In 2003, acclaimed photographer David Bailey (and another 60s icon) snapped a photo of the two "Alfies": Michael Caine and Jude Law.

Yet I have to say, despite Jude's great work in the remake, for me the one and only Alfie is Michael Caine.

And well, I myself do subscribe to the European philosophy of life, just not too much wine, of course women ("birds" like Alfie would say) and why not style and class. Do you?

Photos: People.com & Flickr

He wore black velvet

For this holiday season there's nothing more elegant and retro looking than a velvet suit or jacket. Reaching its peak in the late 60s and 70s, every stylish man owned at least one velvet jacket, from the rock stars to Hollywood. In recent years velvet has made a comeback and can be seen in the latest Gucci collection among others.


Shown below is Jack Nicholson with then wife Angelica Huston attending the Cannes Film Festival in the mid 70s. Despite the fact that this photo was taken in May, Jack managed to pull off the velvet suit perfectly. Angelica is wearing an off the shoulder dress, which seems to have made a comeback recently too.


I would recommend two looks using Velvet for this season, one would be the black velvet suit with a more discreet necktie or a skinny tie (some slippers would be ideal); and the other one would be a black velvet jacket paired with a white shirt and a good pair of jeans.






Photo: GQ

Travelling with Romy & Alain

In 1969 Romy Schneider and Alain Delon costarred alongside Jane Birkin and Maurice Ronet on "La Piscine", a film by Jacques Deray. Besides the intriguing plot, what was special about this film was the fact that Schneider & Delon were seen together on screen after having ended their relationship years before.


I suppose the photo below was taken during a promotional trip for the film. On it we can see Alain Delon wearing a black shirt, a leather jacket (ideal for this Fall/Winter), an original thick leather belt, and clear trousers. Romy Schneider is wearing probably a knee length dress with a waist belt, and a head band.




Photo: Flickr

Draper...Don Draper

"Mad Men" can be considered among the best and most successful TV series of the second half of the 00s. I guess most of you, my readers, have watched it or at least heard/read about it. The series' plot focuses around the life of Donald "Don" Draper (Jon Hamm) and those who work at Sterling Cooper, an advertising agency in Madison Avenue, hence the name "Mad Men".


Set in the early years of the 60s in New York City, besides the great storyline one can be amused by the settings (they've pretty much recreated the early 60s with perfection), the soundtrack, and of course the fashions. It's like bringing the early 60s to present day TV with HD. The beauty of characters like Betty Draper, Peggy Olson, and Joan Holloway must not be missed.


Below the always stylish Don Draper enjoying some moments of relaxation from his bustling life.







Photo: Flickr

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood, best remembered for his roles in movies such as: "The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly", "Dirty Harry", and "Million Dollar Baby", was photographed somewhere along the early/mid 60s wearing some black trousers, a red shirt, a white knitted cardigan, and a leather strap watch.


His sweater somehow reminds me of Alain Delon's fall jacket shown in a previous post this Fall. It's worth putting attention to the button area of this item. An ensemble that can be worn as a whole or without the sweater this Fall/Winter and on the first days of Spring when the air is still cool.



Photo: Lital.com